ISLAMABAD - Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has said that women are central to the strength and progress of Pakistan and, despite numerous challenges, they continue to contribute across every sphere of economic, social and civic life with resilience and determination.

In his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday, the chief justice said women’s leadership and vision continue to shape both the present and the future of the country.

He said that the day was not only meant to recognise the contributions of women but also to reaffirm the constitutional commitment to ensuring dignity, justice and a safe environment for women across Pakistan. Justice Afridi noted that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.

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“These guarantees are not merely aspirational; they are binding constitutional obligations that require all public institutions — particularly the courts as custodians of the Constitution — to actively protect women and ensure the practical enforcement of their rights,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that despite these constitutional protections, many women in Pakistan still face significant obstacles when seeking justice.

He pointed out that deeply entrenched social norms, along with certain gaps in legal processes, often make the justice system intimidating and difficult to access for women. In many cases, women face bias, inadequate institutional support, and fear of social stigma or retaliation.

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“These barriers are particularly severe for women in rural, marginalised and economically disadvantaged communities, for whom the justice system can often appear distant and complex,” he said.

The chief justice said the judiciary fully recognises these challenges and bears the responsibility of ensuring that equality before the law is not merely theoretical but tangible, enabling every woman to approach the justice system with dignity and confidence.

Justice Afridi said the judiciary has taken several affirmative steps over the years to strengthen the protection of women’s rights and improve their access to justice.

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He highlighted efforts to promote gender-sensitive adjudication through judicial education and sensitisation programmes.

At the same time, the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan continues to play an important role in policy reforms aimed at reviewing laws and legal processes that disproportionately affect women and other vulnerable groups.

“These initiatives are aimed at making legal processes more gender-responsive so that the justice system becomes more welcoming not only for women but also for other marginalised segments of society,” he said.

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The chief justice further said that the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) has placed gender-responsive justice at the centre of the judiciary’s reform agenda for 2026–27.

According to him, these reforms are designed to make the justice system more accessible, responsive and supportive for women throughout the country.

Among the key initiatives planned under the reform agenda is the establishment of Women Facilitation Centres in court complexes across Pakistan to provide one-window support services to women litigants in a safe and supportive environment.

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The reforms also include institutionalising free legal aid and advisory services for women in collaboration with bar councils, along with the introduction of a legal advisory helpline to provide immediate legal guidance and referrals to pro bono lawyers.

Justice Afridi said the judiciary will also strengthen mediation and family support services within court systems to encourage amicable settlement of family disputes and reduce the emotional and financial burden associated with prolonged litigation.

In addition, the Law and Justice Commission will undertake a review of family laws to enhance their gender responsiveness and ensure that legal frameworks reflect contemporary standards of fairness, dignity and equality.

Another important initiative will involve developing a framework for the use of gender-fair language in the justice sector to promote respectful, inclusive and non-discriminatory language in judicial proceedings, legal drafting and institutional communication.

The reform agenda also includes expanding legal awareness and outreach programmes to improve legal literacy among women, particularly those in rural and marginalised communities, enabling them to better understand and exercise their legal rights.

Through these initiatives, the NJPMC aims to build a justice system that is not only fair in principle but also accessible, humane and responsive in practice, he said.

The chief justice added that on International Women’s Day the judiciary renews its pledge to create safe and respectful workplaces within the judicial system, promote innovative solutions to expand access to justice, and ensure that gender equality remains a central pillar of justice sector reforms.

“The measure of a just society lies in the dignity, freedom and equality it affords its women,” he said, adding that protecting and advancing women’s rights was essential for the realisation of justice itself.

He concluded by saying that International Women’s Day should remind society that the true strength of the rule of law is measured by how effectively it protects the most vulnerable and ensures equal opportunity for all.

“Justice for women is justice for Pakistan,” he said.